Director: Craig Zobel
Screenplay: Craig Zobel
Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy
Synopsis is here
I’m not surprised that there was a certain amount of anger was aimed
at Craig Zobel’s feature; Compliance. Although inspired by true events,
the film almost asks you to take a massive leap of faith. I’m sure when many
watch the events that took place, many couldn't, nay wouldn't, believe that
something similar had taken place in real life. And yet a quick Google of the
name Lynndie England would take you to sites talking about the Abu Ghraib torture
pictures.
The pictures show England, posing and mocking naked Iraqi prisoners.
Her response as to why she posed in those pictures was that she was taking orders
from people in higher ranks (she was also in a relationship with one of the
officers). Stating that she felt odd posing like she did, but it was nothing
out of the ordinary. Compliance plays on the idea that under authority, with
the right pressure and stress applied, responsibility diminishes. It’s at that
point when bad things happen.
But the film is still incredible hard to take in, but
constantly thought provoking. I’m sure there are tons of message boards full of
comments from smarter folk who would never do anything like what transpires
within the films plot. But then again despite intelligence, one can still be recruited
into a cult.
Zobel’s film gets the environment just right. From the very
start restaurant manager; Sandra (Ann Dowd), is already under a certain strain.
A confrontation with a supplier sets up the day awkwardly and Sandra, a well
meaning but unpolished woman is already at odds with the playground politics that
take place in retail places such as this ChichWich restaurant. A conversation between
relationships neatly shows the differences and conflict between Sandra and
Becky (Dreama Walker), the teenage girl who becomes the main victim in the situation.
But everyone becomes victim in a prank which quickly takes advantage
of authoritative powers. Zobel’s film may anger people, because it shows how
easily and engrained some of our human behaviours are. A female manager hears over
the phone; a firm yet relatively friendly male voice proclaiming to be a police
officer and quickly she lends responsibility over to the voice. While the
conversation continues out back, the restaurant gets busier. It’s a Friday and places such as this are
always busy
The caller at first is vague about the details of his call. Allegedly
there’s a theft and someone out front is culpable. But as the conversations
wear on, the caller (a despicable Pat Healy) is able to influence the situation
further due to fudged facts and background knowledge. The conversations at
times feel much like recent bank card scams that have come into play recently.
Zobel’s script cleverly picks up on those small details that
we so easily forget, but help the caller gain such an advantage. Healy’s caller
character effectively uses cold reading to make it appear that he knows more
than he actually does. The film also
uses its surroundings to its advantage. Much like the occurrences the film is
based on, the cinematography gives us an on point description of small town
U.S.A., a place with less “excitement” and ultimately, less reason to be suspicious
of authoritative orders. As the film continues, we see less of anything else.
Just faces in concerned close up, with little to console them except that voice
on the other line.
Compliance is well performed and neatly observed and a great
film to watch to perhaps provide a few moments of water cooler/after dinner
chat. I do doubt however that many will feel the need to watch more than once.
Most will argue they wouldn't be taken as such a fool and many may not. But
Zobel’s film understands the smaller details that make events like this happen.
Nobody believes that they can be made
the victim. If that was truly the case films like Compliance would not exist.
